Slab of the Month: Saint John Muskie

Last week's Muskie submission was nice, but Brad Plourde throws a bit more girth into the mix. 

Comments

[Benjamin Rioux]

Yessir, That some true Up'North Slab action baby!

[Timbo]

Looks more like October than April.

Sweet fish though.

[castingoutloud]

Saint John River?
I would love to hear the back story on that one. I left NB in 1987 Musky where not known to the river. Above the Dam? Looks like fall to me as well. Do tell. Plourde is a very Saint John French Canadian name I bought a lot of fly gear from a Plourde in the late 90's Roger if I remember corectly.

[Benjamin Rioux]

Yeah that picture is taken in the fall. I'm not sure how the rules work, but I'll have to look into matching months to pictures in the future. I just wanted Brad to get some exposure for all his hard work. He lands fish like this on a regular basis all over the Saint John River.
I believe Muskie were accidentally introduced a little over 10 years ago (Don't quote me on an exact date) when high water levels and overflow issues at the Dam you speak of in Canada allowed for a growing Muskie Population above the dam to enter the mid and lower Saint John River. Since then, populations have Thrived in the River and Muskie like Brads are becoming more common every year. A annual Muskie Derby is held every August in my home town of Fort Kent and fish over 40 inches are taken regularly.
My only issue with Muskie is the threat they pose on the Fish River that flows into the Saint John. The Fish River below the falls has produced some Muskie in the past, but faster water currents help keep them somewhat confined to the Saint John. Trout and Salmon fishing is still productive, but if the Muskie find a way to get above the Fish River Falls, they could quickly populate the entire Fisher River Chain, Including my favorite fishing spot Soldier Pond, and the world class trout and salmon fisheries of Square and Eagle Lake. This is a major cause for concern. If this Happens, I'm moving!